For matters caused or aggravated by family violence, LawRight offers one-off representation through a duty lawyer service. The service operates on a drop-in basis, at a number of different times each week (subject to the availability of volunteers). Please contact LawRight to discuss whether volunteers will be available on the day of your hearing.

If you are an enforcement debtor (ie, you are the party stated as owing money), and you need to attend an enforcement hearing at the Brisbane Magistrates Court, you may be eligible for free legal representation from the LawRight Enforcement Hearing Duty Lawyer Service.

Community legal centres

A complete list of community legal centres in Queensland is available from Community Legal Centres Queensland, the peak body representing funded and unfunded centres across the state.

You can also inquire about legal advice from these community legal centres.

Caxton Legal Centre The Caxton Legal Centre is an independent, non-profit community organisation providing free legal and social work advice, assistance and referrals to the general public. Please note that the Caxton Legal Centre does not provide advice about building or other business and commercial disputes.

The centre’s Park and Village Information Link (PAVIL) is a specialist service providing free information and legal assistance for residents and prospective residents of retirement villages and manufactured home parks in Queensland.

Queensland Advocacy Incorporated Queensland Advocacy Incorporated is an independent, community based systems and legal advocacy organisation for people with disability in Queensland

If you are an enforcement debtor (ie, you are the party stated as owing money), and you need to attend an enforcement hearing at the Brisbane Magistrates Court, you may be eligible for free legal representation from the LawRight Enforcement Hearing Duty Lawyer Service.

Seniors’ Legal and Support Service The Seniors’ Legal and Support Service offers free support for Queensland seniors concerned about elder abuse and financial exploitation.

Tenants Queensland Tenants Queensland is a specialist statewide community legal service for tenancy law matters and provides a free tenancy law advice service for residential tenants.

Women's Legal Service Women's Legal Service is a community legal centre that provides free legal advice and information to women in Queensland.

Youth Advocacy Centre The Youth Advocacy Centre offers free confidential legal and welfare assistance to young people under 17 years who live in or around Brisbane. Telephone support is also provided to young people outside of Brisbane and throughout Queensland.

Aged and Disability Advocacy Australia Aged and Disability Advocacy Australia (ADA Australia) is a not-for-profit, independent, community based advocacy and education service that supports and improves the wellbeing of older people and people with disability. ADA Australia can provide advocacy support to the person for their guardianship or administration hearings.

Carers Queensland Carers Queensland is the peak body that represents the interests of carers in Queensland. Their Family Support and Advocacy program provides free support, information, advice and representation for adult guardianship and administration matters.

Resources

We cannot provide legal advice

As part of an independent tribunal, QCAT registry staff cannot provide legal advice.

Registry staff can explain and answer questions about how QCAT works and its processes.

Registry staff cannot help with:

* whether or not you should submit an application * whether your application is under the correct jurisdiction * if you should lodge an appeal or a counter-application * recommending a specific lawyer to assist you * how to word your application, supporting documents or what to say at a proceeding * contacting a QCAT member or adjudicator directly * predicting likely outcomes of a case or appeal * helping you to prepare your case * advising what orders/decisions you should seek* explaining what you should do to follow QCAT directions* enforcing an order or decision of the tribunal * advising exact timeframes for resolution of a matter – this depends on your individual matter.

Descriptions of QCAT's jurisdiction on this website are general information only. They do not definitively describe the types of applications on which QCAT can make decisions. The relevant legislation determines QCAT's jurisdiction. If you are unsure about your legal rights, you should seek legal advice. Your individual circumstances should guide any actions taken to resolve your dispute.